Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
I thought that after National Assembly and Member PRemier, my schedule would be more open. Due to my lack of blog posts recently, I might have to admit that I was wrong. Nonetheless, I will strive to continue posting about PR, college, careers and professional development. I plan on writing about national assembly soon. But, I was just thinking about how being a financially-independent college student has affected me.
Am I lucky? In a recent interview, I was asked, “Do you think you are lucky?” I think I am in some ways. But, for every opportunity that I’ve had, there is a lot of time, hard work and money behind it. Tuition alone runs at about $6,500 per year at a four-year public institution, according to CollegeBoard.com.
Since I first sent in my application to Central Michigan University, I knew that I would be paying for college myself. This prompted me to do several things:
- Research potential majors. I spent hours researching what I wanted to do. Journalism? Advertising? Marketing? English? Graphic design? Somehow, I stumbled upon public relations. I researched the subject in-depth and made my decision to major in PR before I even graduated from high school.
- Make a four-year plan. Using a spreadsheet, I mapped out every single class I would need to take in order to graduate on time. I arranged them by semester and have used this map to figure out what classes to take. Because of this, I was able to make many classes double, or even triple, count. This saved money and time.
- Do the math. After living on campus for my first semester, I did the math. I was paying a ridiculous rate to live in a jail-cell sized room with three other girls. My sophomore year, I started living in a small, one-bedroom apartment with utilities included. I know living on-campus is convenient, but is it really worth the money?
- Get a job. I found a job at the beginning of my freshman year. Not only was I able to make money, but I learned the time management skills that my unemployed classmates probably have yet to learn. I can’t imagine what I would do without a job.
- Go beyond expectations. So you go to class every day and get decent grades? That’s not enough. Join organizations and take on leadership roles (bonus points if related to your major). If you’re really ambitious, create a Web site and a blog to build your personal brand.
- Build a network. The people you knew in high school might be a good connection someday. The people you meet today might be in the position to hire you in the future. Build and maintain a relationship with these people and don’t burn any bridges.
Paying for college has put a lot of things in perspective for me. Instead of seeing the college experience as one big chance to party and have fun, I see it as an opportunity to better myself for a career I will love. Even though it is stressful and hard sometimes, I think paying for my own education has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.
And I stand by the answer I gave in the interview.
I’m only lucky because I’ve worked hard for everything I have.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
Comments
04.03.09
Great post! It is better to learn these lessons in college than be stuck with student debt upon graduation. I wish I had done that :-)...
04.03.09
Irina,
I'm glad you enjoyed my post. Hopefully I won't graduate with too much debt :)
04.03.09
I paid for my (private) college education on my own, and graduated without debt.
How I did it:
1. Earned scholarships through the school, and through a state-wide program for HS graduates with at least a 3.0 GPA
2. Worked 3 jobs on campus (I was an RA, I did work study at the library, and I was a tutor in the Writing Center).
3. Worked 1 job during breaks and vacations (Barnes & Noble--they always let me come back).
4. Took 15 credit hours every semester, to make sure I'd graduate in 4 years.
It is definitely, definitely possible to graduate even from an expensive school with no debt. It just takes some elbow grease and determination.
04.03.09
Anna,
I think it is great that you payed for private education on your own. That must have taken a lot of hard work! It's great to hear from others that they find it possible to pay for school themselves.
04.03.09
Rachel,
Great post!
I went through an undergraduate and a graduate degree paying myself, and have no debt. I think some of the biggest lessons in money management and responsibility come from being accountable to yourself. It was one of the hardest, but the best lessons that I've learned myself. I'd recommend it even if you do have money saved up. It does give you some great perspective :)
04.03.09
My dad was a middle manager, and my mom was a school teacher. My dad's salary supported the family, and my mom's salary paid for both my college education and my sister's. They even payed for me to live in a dorm.
I worked through the summer at Wal-Mart to earn spending money during the school year.
We weren't poor, but we were every bit the middle class family. Of course I went to an in-state state school, so maybe that helped. But it was accredited, and I got a good education.
04.03.09
It's nice to hear from others who share in the struggles and bliss of paying for college alone. Although I wasn't as lucky as most when it comes to scholarships and such, like you I took finding out what I wanted to do seriously. Although I have changed schools, I've done it online to try and alleviate many costs and its worked out pretty well. I will graduate with debt but I do have a comprehensive money management plan to solve that issue. Plus although my parent could not help me initially, I feel good in knowing that she will be able to help when I finally do finish.
04.03.09
@Mehnaz - It's so true. I think it helps prepare you for real life.
@Scott - I don't think there is anything wrong with a state school. That's where I'm going. I think college is what you make of it.
@Tiffany - I'm glad to see comments from other people in my same position. Good luck at your new school.
04.17.09
Loved this post, Rachel! I was mocked for having a "plan" for my four-years, but by the start of senior year those same people were begging for my help to sort out their mess of a schedule. I still don't understand how some people could forget they needed to take a gym class to graduate...it's in the manual!
I also agree that you're "only lucky because I’ve worked hard for everything I have." But only because you realize the VALUE of your efforts - too many people never feel the joy of earning something! And I think working while maintaining a full-time schedule is hard for some people, but it is definitely worth it! People would laugh when I told them I worked in the cafeteria but I was the one (quietly) laughing when they had to call their parents to help them cover their monthly student bill. My parents couldn't afford to send me to a private college, but I had my heart set on that particular school and I figured out a way I could manage it. I still graduated with some debt but it's manageable.
I wish you the best of luck with sticking to your plan. From the sounds of it, you're going to be quite successful!
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
 |
![121180_a9e2334114[1].jpg](http://images.brazencareerist.com/images/121180_a9e2334114[1].thumbnail.jpg "Capital City Careerist") |
|
